Few people bother with exploring the capabilities of their Wi-Fi router. There is internet, that's fine. In fact, a good Wi-Fi router can do a lot of cool things. And in order to use all the features, you do not need to have special knowledge, download alternative firmware and study hundreds of forum pages. How it works - showusing the example of a router, which can be bought for 2,500–2,700 rubles.
1. Connect your network to your neighbor's Wi-Fi. Or any other
Let's say you get a signal from a nearby cafe. Or a neighbor out of kindness gave you the password to his Wi-Fi. Instead of connecting to the network from a smartphone, tablet or computer, connect to it through a router, and use it from the router free internet. This function is called " " (WISP), and it has several advantages:
- Better signal. If on a smartphone the wireless grid shows one or two bars and works somehow, then from the router the same grid will give its full speed, and the connection will be much more stable.
- Safely. You never know how security is on an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network. By connecting to someone else's Wi-Fi through a router, you hide behind the security measures built into it and do not expose your devices and their contents to someone else's network.
- Backup internet that connects automatically. If something suddenly breaks at your main provider, the router will automatically switch to a backup channel, and you will most likely not even notice this and will be able to continue using the Internet.
- Backup internet from smartphone. Often with problems with the Internet, we use a smartphone as an access point. The signal from it is weak and beats not far. Create an access point on your smartphone, connect to the router as a "wireless provider", and you will get a good stable connection on all your devices.
2. Use multiple providers on the same router
This feature is called Multi WAN. It allows you to connect as many providers as there are ports on your router, and additionally add a USB modem.
Let's say you have Internet from two providers at once. One is the main one, the second is the reserve one with the cheapest rate. This is a good practice that allows you to stay online even if something happens at the main provider.
In order not to swap cables every time, not to reconfigure the router or computer, and not to do other time-consuming and effort-consuming things, just plug both cables into the router. The main one - to the standard port (it is usually of a different color), and the backup - to any other. Set up the router once by, and in the future everything will work and switch automatically.
3. Distribute the Internet from a USB modem through a router
This is possible if the router has a USB port, and you have a USB modem from a cellular operator with which you can access the Network from a laptop from anywhere.
Connect the modem to the USB port of the router and perform a quick setup using. Now you have a backup Mobile Internet, which will be enabled automatically when problems occur with the main provider.
This life hack will allow you to use a Wi-Fi network not only in the country, where there is no fixed Internet, but also on a trip. On the Internet, you can find an adapter adapter to power the router from the cigarette lighter in the car. Connect a USB modem to the router, and all your passengers will be able to use the Internet while traveling - provided, of course, there is a cellular network signal.
If you have an external HDD, connect it to the router via USB.
Activate the ability to download torrents in the router settings by.
You can remotely launch and manage downloads through the My.Keenetic Android app.
Downloading and distributing torrents through a router occurs without the participation of a computer. By default, the download and upload speeds are set so as not to clog the entire channel. You can change the speed in the settings. You won’t get more than 5 MB / s from the budget Keenetic Omni, but the Internet will not slow down when downloading.
The router can not only download, but also broadcast video to a TV via DLNA, and in the torrent settings, you can select sequential torrent download to start watching a movie before the download is completed.
5. Access your router and home devices from anywhere
For all "kinetics" is available free corporate service KeenDNS replacing any other DDNS services (such as No-IP and DynDNS) in a situation where you have a white but dynamic IP address.
But what if the address is gray, as, for example, almost everyone mobile operators for the connection described above via a USB modem or a backup?
KeenDNS solves this problem:
- Gives to the router even behind a gray address by a convenient name like home.keenetic.link without the hassle of obtaining and prescribing an SSL certificate;
- Opens access behind a gray address not only to the router, but also to devices connected to it (for example, a heating boiler control system or the already mentioned torrent pump) by a convenient name like device.home.keenetic.link.
- Provides a pervasive SSTP tunnel to your home network, which is easy to set up in Windows or through the Android app.
6. Create Time Machine backups
Apple has stopped making its routers, but the need to back up your MacBook hasn't gone away.
Turn on Time Machine backup in your router settings. You will again need an external hard drive - now it will also become a backup storage. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to format it into the HFS + apple file system, because the router can also make backups on an NTFS disk.
If you need high speed Reserve copy, Keenetic Omni may not be able to handle it. Look towards the top Keenetic Giga or Ultra routers.
7. Control your flash drive from your smartphone without an OTG cable
This function will allow you to record or view files if there is no computer at hand, and the smartphone does not support OTG, or the OTG cable has disappeared somewhere.
Connect the flash drive to the router and run it on your smartphone file manager like "ES Explorer" with support for network access. You will have full access to the contents of the flash drive, regardless of its file system.
8. Turn your router into a telephone exchange. Or something else
In the USB port of the router, you can plug not only a modem or disk, but also a branded DECT set-top box. With it, your router will work as a wireless telephone exchange with support for up to 6 handsets. Everything you need for this is possible without special knowledge.
Support for third-party software packages () in official firmware turns the router into a real Swiss knife with a bunch of lotions. You can install the rTorrent torrent client, the Asterisk IP-PBX telephone exchange, another DLNA server, and much more into the router. In routers Keenetic does not change the main firmware, and you do not lose the warranty.
9. Save on VPN
Thanks to recent events on the Russian Internet, everyone now knows about VPN and its benefits.
Using a router, you can save a lot by buying just one license for one device from some good VPN provider, but you can use the service on all your devices at once.
To do this, it is enough to enable VPN not on one of the devices, but directly on the router. Now any smartphone, tablet or computer connected to the router will automatically access the Internet via VPN. If this does not suit you, go to the router settings and specify which gadgets should work through the VPN and which should not.
If you only want to use a VPN to improve your online security, you don't need overseas VPN servers, and therefore don't have to pay for them. With a white IP, you can safely surf the Internet through your own VPN while away from home. As a bonus, you will have access to your home network and its contents from anywhere in the world.
10. Make Wi-Fi faster and more stable
Most routers operate in the 2.4 GHz band. When several routers are located nearby - for example, in an apartment building - they interfere with each other. Imagine a bazaar: a bunch of people, everyone is shouting, nothing is clear. It's the same with routers, only the quality and speed of the Internet drops.
The range is divided into several channels. For example, Vasya's neighbor's router works on the 6th channel, and Petya - on the 11th. The router is able to monitor the current congestion of channels and even automatically switch to the least populated ones, but neighboring routers can have the same function. What to do?
Create as many networks as your router allows. Give the networks different names so that your cunning plan is not seen through by the neighbors (and do not forget to set passwords). All networks you create will be on the same channel. For any Wi-Fi analyzer, the channel will seem overloaded, and therefore it will consider it inappropriate to create a grid in it. This means that the channel will remain completely at your disposal.
Why can't my router do this?
Much depends on the developer of the software stuffing of the router. Some devices receive updates and all the latest features, while others remain on old version. Users of the second have to get out and install custom firmware at their own peril and risk, while losing the warranty on the device.
Keenetic uses a single operating system, which is constantly being improved and adds new features to all models of routers. 
It doesn't matter if you use the top Keenetic Giga or the budget Keenetic Lite - you will always have the best fresh version OSes with all the new features.
Naturally, hardware limitations play a role. Not possible with software update grow a USB port for the router. A device built for 2.4 GHz only will never learn to work in the 5 GHz band. But if the filling of the device meets the requirements for work new feature, then you will receive it regardless of the model of your Keenetic.
Sometimes when using a wireless network in a large apartment or office, it becomes necessary to strengthen the WiFi signal. The best way to improve reception is to use a repeater. It allows you to relay the network so that the signal is available even in rooms far from the access point. The simplest repeater can be made from an old router or other network device with your own hands.
Using devices with a built-in repeater
Some home devices that can connect to WiFi are equipped with a signal relay function. They can be used as a repeater. In particular, wireless cameras, smart lamps and even sockets can have such a function. Check the instructions for your wireless devices. If it is possible to relay the WiFi signal, activate this function in the settings.
How to make a repeater from a router
The most popular device used as a repeater is a regular router. Often, wireless network users have old routers that can be used to expand WiFi coverage. The main advantage of this method is its versatility. The router may operate using standards that differ from your connection method. The main condition is the ability to connect to WiFi.
For example, older ADSL routers can also be used instead of repeaters. They will work even if FTTx technologies are used to access the Internet.
Do-it-yourself WiFi repeater from a TP-Link router
Log in to the admin panel of the router. To do this, enter the IP address indicated on the sticker on the bottom of the device into the address bar of any browser. The page will ask for a username and password. As a rule, they are also indicated on the sticker. In the absence of these data, they can be clarified in the documentation.
Go to the menu "Wireless -> Wireless Settings" and check the box "Enable WDS" on home page this section. After specifying to reboot the router, the device will switch to the wireless bridge mode (Wireless Distribution System). Click "Search" among the group advanced settings, which will become available when WDS is activated.
Find your wireless network in the opened table. Click on the "Connection" link next to the line with the BSSID and the name of your WiFi. In the next step, you will need to enter the settings for connecting to the network:
- Encryption type;
- WEP index;
- Authentication method;
- Password.
Important! The channels on the main router and the device used as a repeater must match. If they differ, the additional router will offer to change the channel value to the one indicated on the main one.
Setting up a repeater on an ASUS router
On routers ASUS customization WiFi signal relaying is most conveniently done through the built-in configuration wizard. To go to step by step instructions options, click the " Quick Setup Internet" in the upper left corner of the page. At the stage of selecting the operating mode, check the option "Repeater (repeater)". If necessary, change the connection settings for the relayed network.
Select desired network, specify the type of encryption, and enter a password for authorization. The device will automatically determine the channel, after which the connection will be made. When you select the "Network Map" item, a table with the values of the main settings will open. The Wireless Network Name field will be editable. In dual-band routers, you can also change the frequency at which the repeater operates (2.4 or 5 GHz).
Advice! The use of other models of routers is also possible as a repeater. If your device does not support this mode by default, try setting alternative firmware— DD-WRT.
Tutorial video: Do-it-yourself wifi signal repeater
Creating an antenna for a repeater with your own hands
The principle of the majority homemade antennas, available for assembly at home, is to redirect radio waves. Standard router and repeater antennas are omnidirectional. This means that the signal propagates perpendicular to the plane in which the antenna is located.
In this article, we will tell you how to make a new access point out of an old router to easily expand the wifi coverage of your home or office.
Currently, the vast majority of apartments have an Internet connection. Sometimes, due to non-standard layout, the wireless network does not reach everywhere in the house, even with ordinary walls. There are many solutions to finally create a stable WiFi connection in every corner of the house: signal booster, repeater (repeater), etc. But they all require financial investments for the purchase, which do not always provide the expected result and solution to the problem.
Now we will show you a completely free alternative with which you can get a good signal in all those places in the house where the signal is attenuated or has poor connection quality.
I think many of you, or your friends, have recently updated the router model. An old router that is no longer in use can be used as a second point WiFi access in the home or office to receive a signal in all corners of the room.
The first thing we need to do is find a place where we want to place this second access point so that its signal reaches places where the current router cannot reach.
After that, we will need to install the router and connect it to the outlet. After the router is turned on correctly (approximately 2 minutes), you need to connect the cable to the LAN port on the computer to configure it as an access point.
Type in address bar computer browser IP 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, enter the name and password. Customize wifi network and her safety. Disconnect the cable and connect to this router wirelessly, albeit on this moment we won't have internet access.
Once we access the configuration of the router without a cable connection, we need to open the -server settings and disable it. Further, its work will be performed by the main router.
Now everything is ready to be connected with the Ethernet cable of the main router with the old one. You just need to connect these 2 routers with an Ethernet cable. To the main router - to the LAN port, and to the old one - to the WAN port. Reboot both routers to apply the DHCP server to assign IP addresses to the connected equipment.
At the IFA exhibition, which was held in Berlin in early September, at the TP-LINK booth, after examining the new products, product engineer Logan Luo, who talked about them, asked me a question: what functions of the router do I personally use and what, in my opinion, do they know about additional features owners and potential buyers. An interesting conversation ensued, the results of which may be useful to many owners wireless routers and regardless of brand. The router is such a simple device that many buyers are limited to only basic settings. Turned on, it works. However, there are a whole range of features and usage patterns that users don't think about. But in vain.
Parental and Access Control
Not everything available is useful - the truth is simple. Responsible parents remember her constantly. A first-grader who has mastered Internet access is no longer a child prodigy, but an ordinary child. And to protect him from unwanted information is important for the normal development of the individual. Instead of persuasion or a total ban, the issue can be resolved by purely technical means.
In the same TP-LINK routers, restrictions are divided into two points - parental control and access control. They differ in their configuration options.
Parental control allows you to simply restrict Internet access to several sites, for example, the lyceum site and sites with educational materials. The MAC address of the monitored device serves as an identifier. This means that if there are several devices on the home network, then the restrictions can only be applied to the computer / tablet used by the child. The white list is valid on time, i.e. restrictions imposed during the day can be automatically lifted in the evening. Access control is designed more for use in business, where a system administrator can create a whole set of various rules that regulate the conditions for accessing the Internet from different computers, not only at the site address level, but also at the protocol level.
The second life of the old device
Many people have old access points / routers after updating their home wireless network infrastructure. They are still functional, but have already depreciated and their profitable sale on the secondary market is futile.
Thanks to WDS technologies(Wireless Distribution System), which was originally intended to expand the coverage area, you can quickly make a network for guests from an old access point.
The advantage of this solution is the ease of on / off - just plug in the power supply or remove it. Many modern wireless routers allow you to create a guest network, but you need to go to the web interface to enable / disable it.
If the guest router was set to a different network name than the main one, then after turning it off it will be difficult to get into the main network - you will need to find out its name or go through all the available options.
Router for the traveler
Many people buy a compact 3G wireless router in order to connect to the Internet via 3G networks mobile communications. However, this little box can do a lot of useful things.
TP-LINK TL-MR3040 is a typical representative of modern mobile routers In the access point mode, such a router will allow you to organize your own secure local network everywhere - at the client's office, on the train, hotel, car, etc. Even without access to the Internet, this is very useful, for example, for exchanging data.
You don't always have to pay for Internet access. Both in our country and abroad there are many free networks, but their use is associated with a certain degree of risk.
A mobile router operating in WISP (wireless Internet service provider) mode can connect to existing wireless networks and distribute the Internet in its own. This is useful in different situations.
First, there is a slight increase in security. Traffic can still be intercepted, but getting behind the router is already more difficult, network resources computers are not visible to everyone.
Secondly, by connecting to the network with a password, you no longer have to enter it on each device again (it is especially inconvenient to do this on cameras with Wi-Fi modules that are not equipped with touch screens). They will automatically connect to the router's own network.
Thirdly, a router in WISP mode can be used to expand the coverage area. It is enough to place it in a place where the signal of the main router is still strong. Such situations are not uncommon in hotels: at the door the connection is confident, but on the balcony or in the back of the room it is already unstable. The power of its own transmitter is enough for the mobile router to cover the entire number.
Personal FTP cloud
Cloud technologies have a bright future, but today they are only at the first stage of development. To solve the simplest task - providing access to information from anywhere in the world where the Internet is available, you can use ready-made services, there are many of them. But upon closer examination, it turns out that most of the free accounts have significant limitations, both in terms of volume disk space, and by file size, monthly traffic, data transfer speed, etc. Add more concerns about the availability of information hosted on other people's servers, at least to their owners.
USB port allows you to connect external drive, whose contents can be made available in local network or via internet Routers equipped with a USB connector allow you to provide access to the contents of the connected drive from any device on the local network. This is the most common use case. However, if the provider provides a real (white) IP address, then by performing a simple setup, you can open access to files on a USB flash drive or USB hard drive and from the Internet.
The FTP protocol is convenient in that for all desktop and mobile operating systems there is big choice customers, and the security / ease of setup ratio is up to the mark.
A modern router, as a rule, is no longer just a router, it combines several devices. It can perform different tasks, one of which we will talk about in this article. There is such a device as a Wi-Fi receiver, or adapter. His task is to take wifi signal, in other words, connect a specific device to a Wi-Fi network. Such adapters are built into laptops, tablets, smartphones, TVs, etc.
There are also external adapters, for example, for desktop computers (I wrote about them in the article), or for TVs. But what if we need to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi the same stationary computer, or a TV that does not have a built-in Wi-Fi receiver. And we don't have any outside either. We do not want to buy it, or simply there is no such possibility.
In such a situation, an ordinary router can help us out, it can act as a Wi-Fi network receiver. That is, it will receive the Internet via Wi-Fi from our wireless network, and transmit it to the device (TV, computer) via network cable.
It should be noted right away that there are routers that have a separate "Adapter" mode of operation. But in most devices, you will need to configure the mode of the repeater, bridge (WDS), client, or wireless connection to the provider.
Now we will take a closer look at these modes on routers. different manufacturers, and find out how to use the router as a wireless network receiver. Consider the most popular manufacturers: TP-LINK, ASUS, ZyXEL, D-Link, Netis. Look for the heading below with information on your device.
Making a Wi-Fi receiver from a ZyXEL router
I decided to start with ZyXEL devices. From the line of routers ZyXEL Keenetic. This company's routers support a variety of operating modes. And including there is an "Adapter" mode. On devices with new version firmware NDMS V2, which is blue in appearance.
In addition, everything is configured very simply and clearly. And everything works. I have already checked all modes of operation ZyXEL router (on the example of the Keenetic Start model), and of course prepared detailed instructions. Just put the router near the computer or TV, connect them via a network cable, set the "Adapter" mode, and you're done.
If you suddenly do not have such an operating mode, then you can (wireless connection to provider). By the way, this method can be used on older versions of devices.
Media Bridge Mode
It was only in the process of writing this article, on the more expensive Asus RT-N18U model, that I discovered the Media Bridge mode, which suits us much better than the amplifier mode. (even if you look at the operation scheme in the control panel).
But the Asus RT-N12+ does not have this mode of operation. Which, in principle, is logical, because it is not very suitable for serious multimedia tasks. In the near future I will prepare a separate instruction for setting up the Media Bridge mode. I will check everything and write how it fits or not.
Wi-Fi receiver from TP-LINK router
Especially, they often ask how to convert such popular partitions as TP-LINK TL-WR740N, TL-WR841N, etc. into a receiver.
On such devices, you will have to use bridge mode, aka WDS.
Since in repeater mode, these routers do not work (wrote about this). But I can’t say anything yet about the new routers from TP-LINK. Perhaps there is already support for different modes of operation. I know that only access points from TP-LINK can work in repeater mode. And there is no adapter mode, as far as I know.
Customization WDS mode TP-LINK also has a separate instruction:
I can say with confidence that in the bridge mode, the Internet from the TP-LINK router via a network cable works. There were many questions about this, I asked TP-LINK support, everything works. You just need to disable DHCP. The article at the link above has all necessary information.
D-Link router as receiver
Can't answer for all models. D-Link routers, but based on my own experience, I can say that in order to use these routers as an adapter, they can be configured in wireless client mode. Checked on DIR-615, DIR-300.
It must be admitted that this mode of operation of the D-Link router is great for distributing the Internet via cable. In addition, it is possible to turn off the wireless network, which is very useful.
More detailed instructions For setting up client mode on D-Link devices, see here: . See after the heading "Connecting a D-Link router to another router via Wi-Fi (client mode)". Everything is detailed there. Perhaps later I will prepare a separate instruction.
Adapter (client) mode on Netis routers
If you have a Netis router and you want to use it to connect devices to the Internet via a network cable, then it is best to configure it in "Client" mode. You can also use it without any problem. Checked, everything works.
Configuring the router in "Client" mode
Everything is very simple. In the settings, which can be accessed at netis.cc go to advanced settings by clicking on the big button Advanced and immediately go to the tab "Wireless mode" - "Wi-Fi settings". In the "Radio Mode" drop-down menu, select "Client". Click on the "AP Scan" button.
A list of available networks that you can connect to will appear. Opposite your network, select the "Connected" radio button. Click on the "Connect" button.
Then set the password for the main Wi-Fi network, and click on the "Save" button.
After these steps, my router rebooted, and the Internet immediately started working via cable.
Important point: in client mode, the Netis router does not broadcast wifi network, which is very good. If you need internet via cable and Wi-Fi, then set it up in repeater mode (link to instructions above).
Afterword
Later I will try to add information on other manufacturers: Tenda, Linksys, etc.
Almost any router can be turned into a receiver. Many, I think, have an old router that is already just gathering dust on a shelf, and only takes up space. And it might still come in handy. And replace the adapter for desktop computer, TV, game console and other devices. To not pull network cable through the whole house.
